Dutch offshore wind plans to offset Groningen gas cuts

AMSTERDAM: Plans for offshore wind farms and new power cables are expected to help facilitate Dutch government plans to close coal plants and end gas production at the Groningen field by 2030, an analysis by S&P Global Platts shows.We have essentially all coal units retiring by 2030 and not much gas running [in the power sector], with Dutch demand largely met by wind and imports,” Platts Analytics Managing Director of Global Power Bruno Brunetti said.

“Due to the carbon floor, gas plants that will be running beyond 2030 will be at a high power price,” Brunetti added.

At present, coal and gas supply over 75% of Dutch electricity, with wind and net power imports around 10% each, according to transmission system operator TenneT.

Last month, the new coalition government announced two major policy decisions that will fundamentally change the power mix in the 2020s.

First, Economy Minister Eric Wiebes launched a roadmap for offshore wind, expected to provide 40% of current power demand by 2030.